The 25-year-old, described as a “dedicated father”, is understood to have sustained serious head injuries.

A 22-year-old man, who was arrested by detectives in connection with the suspected assault, has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Darryl Wilson, a family friend and Ulster Unionist councillor in the area, spoke to dad-of-one Mr Laverty late on Saturday night, just hours before the incident.

He said Mr Laverty was in good spirits.

Mr Wilson added: “The details are still quite unclear. There was an incident in the early hours of Sunday morning.

“Ray is in the Royal and, as far as I know, in an induced coma. So we are hoping and praying for improvement there as time goes on.

"Ray is an easy-going young fella and a happy fella. He would always stop and take the time for a chat in the street.

“He is very well known. He dotes on his son and is a very dedicated father. There’s a lot of shock in the village of Dervock and in the town of Ballymoney."

About 50 bands took part in a large parade in Ballymoney on Saturday night.

Mr Laverty is a member of Dervock Young Defenders.

PSNI Detective Sergeant Chris Wilkinson said, “The injured man remains in hospital in a critical condition and we continue to appeal to anyone who was in the area of the hotel car park at around 1.30am on Sunday morning and witnessed this incident to contact detectives in Coleraine on 101.

“We would also be keen to view any footage available, that may have been recorded on phones by people in the area, which may help us to establish a timeline of events. Again, the number to call is 101.”